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The War of 1812

For two and a half years, Americans fought against the British, Canadian colonists, and native nations. Some of the War of 1812's battles and heroes became legendary, yet its blunders and cowards were just as prominent. The two-hour film shows how the glories of war become enshrined in history — how failures are quickly forgotten — how inconvenient truths are ignored forever. With stunning reenactments, evocative animation and the incisive commentary of key experts, The War of 1812 presents the conflict that forged the destiny of a continent. Premieres Monday, October 10, 2011 at 9 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings).

The War of 1812 is a production of WNED-TV, Buffalo/Toronto and Florentine Films/Hott Productions Inc., in association with WETA Washington, D.C.

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Painting of Laura Secord being brought to see Lieutenant Fitzgibbon by a Mohawk warrior, to warn the British of an impending American attack. The War of 1812 premieres Monday, October 10 at 9 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings).

Credit:
Laura Secord Meets FitzGibbon by Lorne K. Smith, ca. 1925. From the National Archives of Canada, courtesy of the Estate of Lorne K. Smith.

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Portrait of Shawnee leader Tecumseh, who is featured in The War of 1812. Premieres Monday, October 10 at 9 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings).

Credit:
Portrait by Benson John Lossing, ca. 1868. Courtesy of the J. Ross Collection of the Toronto Reference Library.

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Portrait of Major-General Sir Isaac Brock, who is featured in The War of 1812. Premieres Monday, October 10 at 9 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings).

Credit:
Portrait by George Theodore Berthon, ca.1883. Courtesy Government of Ontario Art Collection.

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Portrait of James Madison, President of the United States during the conflict portrayed in The War of 1812. Premieres Monday, October 10 at 9 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings).

Credit:
Portrait by John Vanderlyn, 1816. Courtesy of the White House Historical Association.

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The British impressment of American sailors on the USS Niagara, in a re-enactment from the The War of 1812. Premieres Monday, October 10 at 9 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings).

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The Kentucky reinforcements of William Henry Harrison, Governor of the Indiana Territory, in a battle near Fort Meigs, Ohio, in a re-enactment from the The War of 1812. Premieres Monday, October 10 at 9 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings).

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WETA Television and Classical WETA 90.9 FM are community-based public broadcasting stations serving the Washington area and supported by listeners and viewers. WETA is also a major producing station for PBS.

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